Nice weather for a little snowshoeing.

Last time I visited Vermont was for Memorial Day weekend a few years ago and I found it to be easily one of the most picturesque states in New England (second to Maine, in my opinion).  I was happy we decided to return this past chilly weekend. The getaway supplied us with a nice mix of wintery outdoor activities + down time!

Sleep

 For a cozy weekend escape from the city opt for a charming B&B like the one we occupied, The Fan House. We ended up being the only guests this past weekend, which definitely added to the relaxing experience. It was nice to have the fireplace all to ourselves!

 Other lovely options include The Norwich Inn, Woodstock Inn and Resort, and the spectacular Twin Farms.

Stroll

 Being from the South, I had never had the opportunity to participate in wintery sports. I was excited (and a bit apprehensive) to try some new activities this trip. When we arrived Saturday we went sledding, which ended up being a blast! On Sunday we tried snowshoeing, it was fun to jog through the snowy hills on huge snowshoes. I look forward to trying cross-country or downhill skiing next time around!

Sip

 We stumbled upon this cute farm to fork spot when we were exploring Hanover, NH called Market Table. They had this item called the “salad sampler”, when ordering you received a smaller portion of three salads from the menu. I not only thought this was a clever idea, but it ended up being delicious and the perfect portion too!

 For a true Vermont experience, head to The Barnard Inn. This restaurant offers two different dining options, a more casual tavern and a lovely, quaint dining room. This is definitely the place to mingle with the locals and enjoy a nice meal. Passing through the dining room, it felt like the quintessential New England country chic.

 One of my favorite meals was the dinner we experienced at Simon Pearce Restaurant above the famous glassblowing factory. Even though we visited at night, I’m excited to return in the warmer months for the gorgeous views of the rushing falls of Quechee. The ambience was fancy without being fussy and the Horeradish Crusted Cod was so tasty. We even picked up a beautiful glass blown souvenir to bring home!

 For a quick, but memorable lunch, stop at the King Arthur Flour café in Norwich. At their flagship location, they not only offer a sneak peek into their bread making process, but also have a spot where you can enjoy freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and seasonal soups. Take a minute afterwards to browse through their store. The baking supply options are endless!